Posted May 5, 2005

     Ninety-one years ago, on the second Sunday of May in 1914, the first official Mother’s Day was observed in America.

     A woman named Anne M. Jarvis had lost her own mother in March of 1905.  In her grief, she began a letter-writing campaign to legislators in her home state of Pennsylvania and in Washington, D.C.  She thought the role mothers have played, both in history and in our everyday lives, should be recognized.  Eight years later, legislation was passed, which set aside the second Sunday in May to honor mothers.  That was late in 1913; the next May, Mother’s Day began. 

     Now it is celebrated throughout the English-speaking nations – the United States, Canada, Australia, and England itself.  It is also observed in countries as diverse as Costa Rica and Afghanistan.  The observances all take place during the first half of the month of May.

     Mother’s Day is one of the chief “going-out” days.  If you don’t believe that, just try to find a seat in a restaurant on short notice this Sunday, May 8.  It is one of the busiest days of the year at florist shops and gift and candy stores.  There is a noticeable increase in churchgoing; traffic holdups occur, even though Mother’s Day always falls on Sunday.

      This is good.  Mothers deserve every bit of the attention they get on their special day.  But the essence of being a mother is far more profound than a single day can measure.

     Motherhood is intensely physical, from the moment of conception, through the birth, to the letdown reflex and the quiet nursing of the newborn infant.  Becoming a mother is physically hard – the months of discomfort and the final pain during labor and delivery are extremely severe.  The Seven Dolors of the Virgin Mary were not just spiritual trials and sorrows.

     Motherhood is also intensely emotional.  Usually, the birth of a baby is accompanied by an enormous surge of affection for her newborn.  That’s one of the few human ideals that is almost always attained.  Motherhood can be sorrowful as well.  What grief is greater than that of a mother who has lost her child?  Words cannot describe her anguish.  And motherhood lasts.  The chord of love still chimes in a mother’s heart long after her child has grown up.  It sounds whenever her adult son or daughter smiles at her.

      Motherhood is spiritual.  The Gospel of John compares having a child to the Resurrection – to entering the kingdom of heaven: “From anguish, great joy.”  In the Old Testament, the Book of Proverbs proclaims, “Her children rose up and called her blessed; her husband praised her.”  Well spoken, indeed.

     Nowadays, we recognize that women possess the same worldly skills and talents as men.  The terms “feminism” and “women’s lib” have bad connotations, so let’s just say that the equality of women has been proven and accepted.  Soon, there will be far more leaders from womankind than there are now.  Many of them will be mothers as well.

     When the unique ability to bring forth and nurture life is added to all of their other qualities, it is obvious that mothers are marvelous human beings.  They are truly extra-special.

     Happy Mother’s Day.  And remember – motherhood extends over the other 364 days in the year also.